5 on Friday

1. Someone in our house has started taking of her PJ bottoms and diaper before falling asleep at night. This does not make her Mommy and Daddy happy when they find her sleeping in a wet spot.

2. That same someone has started going without a diaper during nap-time at day-care!

3. Last Saturday we made the trip to Willey, Iowa for Christmas with the extended Greving side of the family. Ellie went without a nap and you could tell by the end of the trip. She feel asleep within minutes of starting our drive home.

4. I had today off of work. It was nice to be able to get a few things done before the business weekend.

5. Nick started a workout program at one of the facilities here in Waukee. His class starts at 6AM 6 days a week. He is not a morning person and I am very proud of him for getting up each day and working out.

Baking

Ellie and Mommy had baking morning the other week. Then had a baking evening a few days later. Ellie LOVED to 'help' in any way she could. As you can see by the bottom pictures, she was a very good 'taste tester'. I think that was her favorite part.

Waukee WinterFest

The other week we went to Waukee's Winterfest with our friends, the Beltman Family. It was a little cold outside waiting in line for Santa- but was still really fun. Ellie was only a little afraid of this Santa. I think it helped that her friend, Sophia, talked to Santa first. It was neat going to our first town gathering now that we officially live in Waukee.

Ellie and Daddy hanging out waiting for Santa.
The line is slowly moving... lots of people to visit Santa.

Ellie did not want to sit on Santa's lap, but was OK sitting on Mommy's.

Ellie's Birthday

A week after moving in we hosted a small birthday party for Ellie. Nothing big or extravagant, but Ellie enjoyed having a day all about her.

Enjoying her lasagna birthday dinner.

Getting ready to blow out her candle on top of her birthday cakeball. She requested to wear the hat, as that is what Elmo is wearing in the picture on her shirt.
The cakeballs were pretty much the extent of decorating we did (and Elmo balloons I guess). I was just glad we had plates to eat off of and places for people to sit.
The silly 2-year old waiting to open her gifts.
Ellie enjoying her very own little kid Camelback water-backpack. Now she can quit borrowing Daddy's when she wants a drink.

Halloween

Like I said in the 5 on Friday post, I finally got my pictures updated--- from as far back as June. Here are pictures from Trick-or-Treat night in Ankeny and Ellie's day-care Halloween Parade.

Ellie and her day-care friends waiting patiently after their parade through the atrium at FBL.Ellie and Liam with Grandpa and Grandma.

Mike the "Tourist" getting ready to pass out candy to the kids.

5 on Friday

1. Ellie and I had baking day/morning last Saturday. Her favorite part is "taste testing." She was a big mess when it was all said and done.

2. Last Friday night we went to Winterfest in Waukee. It was cold standing in-line waiting for Santa, but we had a good time!

3. Last night we had Ellie's Christmas Program at day-care. It was very cute. Nick took a video of it, but the size may be too big to post.

4. We ordered new furniture for our new house this week as well! It will arrive in mid-January and mid-April. We are very excited for Ellie to get her big girl bed and get the transition started before the new baby arrives.

5. I finally got around to updating our Shutterfly ShareSite the other day. Pictures from as far as June of this year! It is amazing how fast Ellie has grown and how much she has changed. Time really does fly.

5 on Friday

1. The house is decorated for Christmas. Although not a whole ton since not everything from the old house fits in the new house and I cannot find what I want in the stores for additional decoration. It will be a work in progress for a few years as we figure out our needs and style.

2. The presents are wrapped and under the tree--- now we can just sit back and enjoy the holiday season.

3. Ellie is doing a good job with the Christmas tree. We haven't had to move a single ornament out of her reach!

4. Last night we were invited to a Christmas Party thrown by my friend, Rich, and his financial advising company. What a surprise when we saw my brother and his two kids there as well! It was a fun time and VERY kid friendly--- balloon animals, kid-type food (in addition to adult food), Santa (complete with pictures) and a storyteller! Ellie is not a fan of Santa, but she LOVES her balloon doggy.

5. Our pillars are up on the house (although they still need to be painted). And the bar cabinet doors are supposed to be installed tomorrow. Now if only the boxes would unpack themselves and we could find the furniture we want at the price we want!